Author Topic: pig in season  (Read 5859 times)

duckface3

  • Joined Oct 2011
pig in season
« on: March 15, 2012, 07:43:30 am »
Is there anyway to control a pig in heat? My sister was given a very friendly pig, until she came into season. Then she was determined to chase my brother-in-law, including running after him while he was on a quad over several fields. Gates were thrown off their hinges and fencing smashed through like they were not even there.
Is there anything that an be given to calm her down when in heat?

HappyHippy

  • Guest
Re: pig in season
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2012, 07:57:13 am »
Erm, a boar  ;) :D

You don't say how old she is, or whether she's on her own without company.
Are you planning on breeding from her at any point ?
A can of sweetheart stout calms mine down when they're due to farrow, but she might just get drunk and even worse  :o
If she's a 'micro' (or pet pig) you could suggest getting her spayed (assuming she's not going to breed) but it might work out quite costly. There are products to trigger/syncronise seasons in pigs, but I've not came across anything to stop it unfortunately, hopefully someone else will have advice to offer.
HTH
Karen

duckface3

  • Joined Oct 2011
Re: pig in season
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2012, 08:55:20 am »
She is 2 1/2 yrs old. On her own but goes out for walks with the dogs several times a day. The previous owner said she was either GOS or OSB cross, whichever she is big.
My sister does not want to breed from her though my brother-in-law thinks this may be better so they don't have to go through this every 21 days.
I say it would be better to give her to someone with experience as it would not be fair either to her or anyone with no experience.
She is lovely and very friendly normally, it's just this terrifying coming into heat.

Fowgill Farm

  • Joined Feb 2009
Re: pig in season
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2012, 09:35:31 am »
Agree with HH never found anything to stop seasons as most of us want them, your best option would be an old boar who fires blanks to keep her company failing that harsh though it may be sausages may be your best option unless you can find somebody to take her. Do you know if she has had piglets before? If she has somebody may be willing to add her to their herd if not theres a good chance she will be barren anyway. Where you are in the UK will also be a factor as some parts are in over supply of pigs and you may not be able to get rid of her FOC or otherwise.
Mandy  :pig:

HappyHippy

  • Guest
Re: pig in season
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2012, 10:11:53 am »
Yup, agree with Mandy now that I know a bit more background - it's doubtfull she'd conceive and if they've not bred before, now might not be the best time to start. Either get her a boar for company (preferably infertile, but not castrated or else he won't have the 'urge' ;)) or sausage her (which would be my first choice in this situation to be honest). They've got to put their safety first, what would happen to your brother-in-law if he happened to fall off the quad and bang his head while she was giving chase?  :o
They might manage to find a home for her, but I wouldn't want to put money on it. Much better to know she's had a good life and a quick end than being moved on who knows how many times and to how many places OR seriously hurting someone.
Karen x

princesspiggy

  • Guest
Re: pig in season
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2012, 10:32:31 am »
may be get her a mate, pigs need company.

Tudful Tamworths

  • Joined Aug 2009
    • Liz's website
Re: pig in season
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2012, 10:37:01 pm »
She may have polycystic ovaries. Often something which happens if pigs are not allowed to breed. Causes massive hormonal changes, irregular seasons, irritibility, aggression.

This is one of my big concerns with people keeping a so-called 'micro pig' as a pet - though I appreciate that's not the case here, the same thing applies. Most never get the chance to breed (thank God, in a way) but will still go through the hormonal turmoil every three weeks and have no way of resolving things,

May be too late to do anything with your pig, so clear the freezer to make way for those sausages :) Please don't pass her on to anyone else.
www.lizshankland.com www.biggingerpigs.com
Author of the Haynes Pig Manual, Haynes Smallholding Manual, and the Haynes Sheep Manual. Three times winner of the Tamworth Champion of Champions. Teaching smallholding courses at Kate Humble's farm: www.humblebynature.com

Blonde

  • Joined Mar 2011
Re: pig in season
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2012, 09:57:52 am »
Is there anyway to control a pig in heat? My sister was given a very friendly pig, until she came into season. Then she was determined to chase my brother-in-law, including running after him while he was on a quad over several fields. Gates were thrown off their hinges and fencing smashed through like they were not even there.
Is there anything that an be given to calm her down when in heat?
If you don't want piglets then ask your local vet to spay her or allow a histerectomy. 

 

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